Gratitude. In Christian circles I’m sure you’ve heard how important it is to be grateful or to show gratitude…. but do you know why? In fact, we see it all throughout scripture. I’ll dive into that here! The bible tells us the power of gratitude, its importance to God and the benefits to us and to the kingdom! So what is gratitude and what does the bible say about it?
All throughout scripture we see examples, stories and instances of gratitude. As believers, our heart is to grow and to be grounded in the truth of God’s word. So, it goes without saying that as we desire to practice gratitude and make it a regular part of our day, we want to ensure that we’re going to the Bible for direction and inspiration surrounding it.
Gratitude is simply
“a feeling of appreciation or thanks, the state of being grateful” according to Merriam- Webster.
gratitude Is important to god
One of the most life-changing truths about gratitude is that it takes our focus OFF of us and onto God and his blessings. It is important to recognize and remember that ALL good gifts come from God himself and to show gratitude is to give credit where credit is due.
God receives honor and glory when we express our gratitude for what he’s done for us. Our ultimate purpose in life is to glorify and honor God forever and walking in gratitude is one action we can take to walk out our Chrisitian purpose!
Food, health, family, circumstances…. Everything we experience God allows for our good according to Romans 8:28 right? So then, when we show gratitude we are choosing to align our hearts with what the scripture says. All good gifts are from the Father and for His abundant gifts we can be grateful!
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. — James 1:17
the power of gratitude
Gratitude is healing and energizing to a tired and weary heart.
Scientifically and psychologically speaking gratitude has many benefits. God always know’s what He’s doing when he calls us to a grateful heart doesn’t he!?
“Research has shown that gratitude can improve general well-being, increase resilience, strengthen social relationships, and reduce stress and depression. The more grateful people are, the greater their overall well-being and life satisfaction. They’ll also have stronger immune systems, lower blood pressure, better sleeps (and better waking). They’ll be more alert and more generous, compassionate, and happier. Grateful people also have a greater capacity for joy and positive emotions.” heysigmund.com
Gratitude is an act of worship.
We see all throughout the Psalms, as David continually refocuses his heart on gratitude. Even in the midst of pain, persecution and suffering, David always came back to thanksgiving to God. David offered thanksgiving in the midst of often hard circumstances as an act of worship to God.
In the Old Testament, gratitude was at the heart of the offerings the Israelites made to God. The extended their offerings with gratitude as an act of worship to an incredible God.
I put together an entire 30 days of cultivating gratitude. Through it we get to see the beauty of gratitude as an offering to the Lord!
Want to worship through gratitude? Download my free Cultivating Gratitude Journal & Prayer Workbook!
Practicing gratitude Grows Us
When we “practice” something, we work toward training ourselves through consistent and repeated actions. To practice gratitude simply means you’re choosing to consistently bring your heart back to a feeling of gratitude.
With practice and consistent choosing, gratitude can be your regular heart posture!
Showing gratitude to God doesn’t have to be a complicated thing! It can come as a quiet prayer before you roll out of bed. A swift “Good morning Lord, thank you for another day”.
A Bit about gratitude journaling
Writing things I’m grateful for in my journal is the first thing I do in the morning during my quiet time. Why? Because as I mentioned a bit above, brain studies have shown that focusing on gratitude actually changes you! Creating a gratitude journal or adding gratitude into your regular prayer/journaling will have an incredible effect on your walk with the Lord.
Whether you prefer to jot things down in a simple notebook or use a beautiful journal like this one below. (Affiliate link)
It’s a simple as “I am grateful for healthy children”. seriously… don’t overthink it! I talk about the ease of it here.
We have so much to be grateful and thankful for.
The most apparent as a believer is our salvation in Christ. If you can think of nothing else in this crazy world to show gratitude for, thank Jesus that you didn’t receive the penalty you deserved for your sins.
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
Psalm 95:1-3
Having a heart of gratitude can also be expressed by showing gratitude to others. Cue the infamous thank you card am I right?
This is one thing I know I want to do more of! Often we go through life and those that bless us the most never really know how much they’re appreciated. Showing gratitude for those God has placed in our life is such a gift to both them AND you.
I read somewhere that
gratitude is the key link between receiving and giving
And it is a true gift!
The Disciples continually gave thanks throughout the letters to the churches for their brothers and sisters in Christ. They knew God was receiving the honor and glory!
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers
Ephesians 1:16
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
2 Thessalonians 1:3
Examples of gratitude in the bible
There are literally thousands of examples of gratitude in the bible and if I listed all of the bible stories about gratitude here we’d be here for years.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Tells us that it is God’s will in Christ Jesus, for us to give thanks in all circumstances. We want to be in the center of God’s will don’t we?
In the Old Testament, God’s people were grateful as the looked back at deliverance and forward to the Messiah. In the New Testament, God’s people were looking back at the promise kept of the coming Messiah, gratitude in the midst of their persecution, and looking forward to the one day return of Jesus.
I mentioned a couple above, but my heart always comes back to a few.
- Genesis-Exodus: Gratitude in God’s promises and purposes
- Psalms of David: Gratitude in the midst of hard circumstances.
- Colossians: Gratitude in living for Christ (practical how to!)
I’ve included a handful of gratitude scriptures at the bottom of this post as well.
gratitude in the old testament
What I love about King David throughout the Psalms is his transparent heart. He says what many of us often think but don’t verbalize. He suffered through depression, betrayal, persecution, and near death over and over and yet he always came back to gratitude.
David was floored by the grace he received despite his failings. He was eternally grateful.
I mentioned the Old Testament sacrifices and offerings before. In line with those was also the festivals and holidays they observed. These were ceremonial actions the Israelites took out of obedience to the Law and to God. While they were requirements of the Law, they were in fact reminders of reasons to be grateful to God.
- To remind them that God is just and to be grateful for His grace
- To remind them that God rescued them from Egypt
- To remind them that God is unchanging and faithful
- To remind them that God is in fact a promise keeper with a plan for His people.
- To remind them that God had already given them victory
And on and on and on.
All throughout the book of Colossians we’re reminded of giving thanks as we’re encouraged with HOW to live for Christ.
Benefits of gratitude in the bible
In all of the instances I’ve already mentioned, we see so many benefits to gratitude. When we consider the benefits our brothers and sisters of old received AND the benefits we now know as evidenced by science, the list is long!
- Better health
- Blessings
- In God’s will
- Refreshed spirit
- Renewed mind
- Hope in a fallen world
- Encouragement to finish the race
- Fulfilling our God given purpose
Bible stories about gratitude
- David continually as he fled Saul (Psalm 69 and throughout Psalms)
- Paul in the midst of being thrashed about on a boat in a storm (Acts 27)
- Jesus thanking the Father for provision of the loaves and fishes BEFORE feeding the 5000 (Matthew 14)
- Jesus at the last supper (Matthew 26, Luke 22)
scriptures about being grateful
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4:15
